a radical act: SACRIFICE
Beloved in the Lord,
I had an interesting conversation with a friend recently about giving to the church. They were very surprised that all Christians are encouraged to give at least 10% of their income to their local Parish. My friend thought of that as a burden, but I told them of the joy we feel when we see our donations help this community and the wider world. The generous giving of this Parish means this building is a safe and warm haven for those seeking Jesus, for those who want to grow deeper as His disciples, and for those who want to come worship the Lord. But it is also a home to 13 anonymous groups, including Al-anon, AA, and NA. We also host 2 Christian homeschooling groups. And that doesn’t even mention the ministries we support such as the City Mission, Our Kids Kloset, Resurrection Power homes, Alpha at the jail, The Academy of Excellence children’s school in Kenya…and many more! When we as individuals give sacrificially, we as a community can bless HUNDREDS of people.
As a voluntary society, the church depends on its member’s generosity to support the ministers and the work of the church.
In a culture that idolizes the wealthy, voluntarily giving away a significant percentage of one’s income is a radical act. It speaks to the world around us that we are serious about loving God and our neighbor.
How we use our money is a spiritual issue. This is why the bible, and Jesus, talk about it so much. Jesus challenges us to think about how we honor God with our finances. Do we cheerfully give in thanksgiving to God?
Matthew recounts Jesus talking his followers: 6 19 Jesus said: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
This passage prompts us to reflect on how we use our resources as people who love and follow Jesus. What do our checkbooks, (or the online report of our spending) say about where our treasure is? Do we cheerfully give to the Lord from our first fruits? Or do we just mindlessly throw a twenty in the offering box and leave it at that?
Jamey and I understand that the traditional standard of giving 10% is impossible for some. We were in that situation in the past, when we were already going into debt to just house and feed our family. If you are in that situation, please hear from us that we understand and sympathize. But we do encourage you to give in some way. Perhaps you could commit to a lesser percentage and work your way up as your financial situation improves. Or you could commit to giving of your time to some form of ministry in the church. Right now we have a number of volunteers whose hard work saves the church a lot of money. Tithing isn’t just about money, after all. We are all called to live a life of service to God, tithing of our time, talent, and treasure. We do this not to curry favor, or to toe the line so God will love us. We do this in thanksgiving for the great, self-sacrificial love Jesus has poured out on us. We do this to share that love with our neighbors.
Or maybe you are in the opposite position and have done well financially. This may be a time to consider giving more than the traditional 10%. The bible has many stories of God’s people being abundantly generous after receiving an abundant harvest. Knowing that some of your brothers and sisters in Christ are struggling to make their pledge, perhaps now is the time to give more generously.
The generosity of this Parish means we are closer to a balanced budget this year than we have been for the 7 years Jamey and I have been your Rectors. Praise God!
As you consider your giving for 2027, please be as generous as you can, so that we can continue to bless so many people through the ministry of Trinity Church.
Mercy, peace, and love be yours in abundance,
Tracey+
Prayer:
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of this world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
FAQ
How do I calculate my tithe?
There have long been disagreements about whether you tithe from your base pay or your actual take home. Jamey and I think it is perfectly godly to tithe from your take home pay.
So, for example, if you make $50,000 a year, your take home will probably be about $40,000. Your tithe would then be $4000.00 a year, $334.00 a month, or about $75 dollars a week.
As your income increases, you could consider giving more than 10%, (biblically 10% is the starting standard.) For example, Pastor Rick Warren, (The Purpose Driven Life) made millions from his books. So he and his wife were able to give away 90% of their income. This has been a witness to millions of people, who see the Warrens living a humble life in service to God, when they could be millionaires!
What about when I get a bonus, or an inheritance?
Tithing from these sources of income is a real joy, especially since they are often unexpected. Think of the impact your generosity could have!
What does Trinity Church need?
We are currently still in deficit spending (spending our savings to cover general operating expenses). We also have several large projects that need to be completed, such as replacing the large HVAC unit over the Sanctuary.
As we have said in the past, if 50 families could commit to giving $5000.00 a year, or $100 a week, we would no longer be in deficit spending. This will take sacrifice. But it will also secure the future of this church and its leadership.
How is this money spent?
The official budget for TCW is printed out and in the black binder in the Narthex, if you would like to see exactly how our donations are spent.
